(Editor's
Note: the following information was provided by the Greater Lowell Community Foundation.)

Lowell, MA – On the evening of May 5, 2018 the Greater Lowell Community Foundation in partnership with the City of Lowell and the Lowell Heritage Partnership lit the John E. Cox Memorial Bridge in Lowell as part of the Lowell Waterways Vitality Initiative.

Through the generous support of local donors, the steering committee, and business partners the Cox Bridge was outfitted with 220 color LED lights. Similar to the lights installed on the Zakim Bridge in Boston, these highly efficient LED lights are able to run programmed lighting sequences to highlight holidays and special events. No public money was spent to support this project.

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation leveraged local resources, philanthropic support, and convened project partners over a 12-month period which included fundraising, planning, design and development.

The goal of the initial donors was to create a visually stunning light installation that would increase the connections between downtown Lowell and the Centralville neighborhood. Additionally, the project aligns with the goals of the Lowell Waterways Vitality Initiative which strives to enhance the everyday experience of people in Lowell by making the city’s historic waterways more accessible, active, and vibrant.

“The Greater Lowell Community Foundation has been fortunate to work with so many generous donors and local partners to make this vision a reality. This project will add to the vibrancy of the city, enhance the connections between neighborhoods and people, and advance the cultural appeal of the region,” said Greater Lowell Community Foundation president and chief executive officer James Linnehan Jr.

Please join us in supporting Light Up Lowell! Donations can be made to the Lowell Waterways Lighting Fund on the Community Foundation’s website at www.glcfoundation.org.

The Cox Bridge will be continuously illuminated throughout the year with scheduled changes to the lighting scheme that reflect events and holidays.

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization comprised of over 350 funds, currently totaling over $37MM, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life in 20 neighboring cities and towns. The Community Foundation annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students, and is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from its staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award nearly $19 million to the Greater Lowell Community since 1999.